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2014 Excellence in Coaching Awards

Plymouth Meeting, PA—Each year, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Excellence in Coaching award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of dedication to coaching and educating within our youth soccer community. Recipients have served with integrity, honor, humor and humility, and made extensive and far reaching contributions to the process by which youth soccer players and coaches are taught in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Sheldon Chamberlain, John Oberholtzer and Ed Townsley have combined for more than 150 years of soccer experience. Each remains an integral part of the soccer community and for that reason, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to honor these men with the Excellence in Coaching Award.

All three men will be honored at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Annual Awards Reception held on Saturday, March 7th at the Holiday Inn Conference Center-Lehigh Valley. Please visit Epysa.org/events/awards_reception for ticket information.

“Shelly, John and Ed have distinguished themselves throughout their long careers with their passion, love and commitment to the game of soccer,” Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome said. “Their names are synonymous with the sport in our region.”

Chamberlain has been coaching for 45 years. His path went through La Salle University, Villanova University, and various high school programs. He is currently an assistant coach for the West Chester University Women’s Team and remains a fixture of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.

“It is an honor to receive the award of Excellence in Coaching from my peers and the association’s coaching community at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer,” said Chamberlain, a 2014 inductee of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Oberholtzer launched his coaching career after a standout four years at West Chester. He spent two additional years in the United States Marine Corps, before joining his alma mater as an assistant coach. Oberholtzer served as head coach of Lower Moreland High School from 1974 to 1992 and 2005 to 2007. He’s also been a staple of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program.

“I’m indebted to Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer for encouraging me through licensing to improve myself as a coach and teacher,” Oberholtzer said. “Semper Fi to everyone that totes a car full of equipment so kids can enjoy this great game.”

Townsley, another West Chester alum, has made stops at some of the Philadelphia area’s best college programs including Swarthmore, Villanova, and West Chester where he’s led both the men’s and women’s teams. In addition, Townsley made a cameo in the professional ranks in 1994-95 when he coached the Philadelphia Frenzy of the Western Indoor Soccer League for a single season. He remains a fixture of the Olympic Development Program, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer camps, and an important contributor to the coaching licensing platform.

“I am both flattered and honored to be recognized by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer,” Townsley said. “Further, I am humbled to be included with John Oberholtzer and Sheldon Chamberlain. These two coaches are legends at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and the soccer community in general.”